Weekly Musing - Dawn

In the last several days, I have read these two verses in three (3) different places. Whenever that happens, I know to pay attention to what is being said. So, I dove a little deeper and read them in a couple translations and looked up some of the key words. In parentheses are the Hebrew numbers for each of the words and below are the words and meanings.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The heart of man (120) plans (2803) his way (1870), but the LORD establishes (3559) his steps.

(TPT) – Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

Many are the plans (4284) in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

(TPT) – A person may have many ideas concerning God’s plan for his life, but only the designs of his purpose will succeed in the end.

Man (120) – human being

Plans (2803) chashab – a verb meaning to think, to devise, to reckon, to regard, to invent, to consider, to be accounted, to consider, to reckon oneself. To plot, to think upon, to think out something. A person could think out his or her course of life.

Way (1870) – derek – a road, a course of life, path, journey, way.

Establishes (3559) – kuwn – to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous): - aim, appoint, certain, consider, be counted, direct, endure, establish, fashion, fasten, firm, fit, fix, form, founds, full, indeed, measure, muster, order, pile up, prepare, provide, ready, rest, restore, (be) right, make secure, set (up), steadfast, keep steady, strengthen, give thought to, truth, until finished, what is right.

A verb meaning to set up, to make firm, to establish, to prepare. The primary action of this verb is to cause to stand in an upright position, and thus the word also means fixed or steadfast.

Here are two other verses using kuwn (3559) –

Psalm 37:23-24 – The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD, upholds his hand. (Footprints in the sand, render sure, stand perpendicular, fix, prepare, apply).

Psalm 40:2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (to make firm, steadfast, to prepare, to set up)

Plans (4284) – machashabah or machashebeth from 2803 (chashab); a contrivance, i.e. (concrete) a texture or (abstract) intention, plan. A thought, a purpose, a device, an intention.

Largely poetic in its use, this Hebrew word means thought or the inventions that spring from such thoughts. The plans or intentions that arise from these thoughts.

I can make my plans for my life; however, it is the Lord who establishes, sets up, erects and stands upright, makes firm, and renders sure the life He gives. He can make the path and steps secure and firm. As I sit with Him and listen to what He has planned, then I can join Him on the path of fullness and completeness of life.

Being still in His presence will allow me to hear what He is doing, and how I can partner with Him. It is important to be in tune with Him. That may require solitude and silence for a while so I can better hear him. So, I may schedule time in the day to just be quiet and listen for His voice. He is speaking. I will need to quiet the thoughts in my own head and just be for some time.

Even Jesus thinks it’s important to step away from life and get away and rest. Mark 6:30-31, The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Until next time . . .